The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-05-25
Serious Outbreak in the Coke Re-
Utoua

EyERsos, Pa, May pa serious phase
in the coke strike was developed this morn
ing. when mob Of three hundred miners,
marching in body, and generally armed
with bludgeons suddenly appeared at the
coke yard at the Jimsown works OF Colonel
Schocnmaker.
Without warning they made savage at
tack on little knot Of men who were en-
gagged in drawing ont the coke from the
ovens there
This coke has been in the ovens since the
strike commenced and some eight or ten men
had been engaged to draw it out. While so
engaged this mob suddenly rushed in on
them and brutality attacked them. Such of
the laborers az could not escape were cruelty
beaten, and one man having both arms bro-
ken and being so badly kicked that his life
is dlespaired of. Six men altogether were
beaten very severely. Allthe barrows and
tools used in the works were destroyed by
the mob
RAID on cocHRAS's WORKS.
Having effectnally accomplished their mis-
sion atJimtown, the rioters marched through
Dawson and across the Youghoigheny river
to the works of James Cochran & Sons.
Mr.. Cochran's sons, assisted by some nom
Union men, had watered out the ovens Of
this firm and drawn the coke from a few ov-
ems, and the anger of the mob was directed
| against them Fortunately the hour was
early and no one was yet working on Coch-
rams yards at Nellie and Clarissa but the
mob, in absence of human victims, wrcaked
their vengeance upon the coke-wagons and
tools at those works, destroying all such
movable property they could lay hands on.
] After this they scattered, their work being
accomplished, and at this hour are struggling
/ off to their homes-though a large number
are still congregated in the neighborhood of
Cochran's works
SHERIFF MILLER STARTS FOR THE SCENE.
Sheriff Miller has been wired and is now
ON his way to Dawson with posse He is
an old soldier, man of nerve and will wear
no kid gloves in dealing with the cratures
/ guilty of such dcvelish work this morning
The mob was from Wheeler, Trotter and
4 l.eisenring, and was composed chiefly of
Hungarians and negroes The action of this
I morning. it is said, was decided upon in an
open meeting of the men held yesterday af-
iernoon at the Trotter works. Great indig-
nation is expressed by all good citizens at
4 the outrageous work, and the Sheriff will
have no difficulty in getting aid to suppress
snch deeds aud arrest the actors engaged in
( them.
THE CAUSE OF THE RIOT
The cause OF the attack ON the men is one
that cannot fail to bring them sympathy.
There are 10000 ovens with $4,000 tons Of
coke in. them which is being destroyed
This coke is worth 5000 at the ovens.
The miners have been paid for mining coke,
the haulers have got their money, and the
men who filled the ovens and fixed them for
firing have all received their pay Now the
strikers rufuse TO allow this coke TO be saved
TO market the coke. The laborers were EN-
ployed merely TO draw out the coke and to
load il on side-tracked cars. There was no
attempt to start up the works with new men
nor was anything done TO arouse the bad
feelings of the strikers with the exception of
this peaceful attempt 10 save property. In
order To avoid conflict and riots even the
bumpers were not replaced by the operators.
They could have protected the pump wor-
kers with deputy sherifls, or even with
troops, but they did nothing of the kind.
The men who had returned TO work at Jim-
town did so of theirsso accord, and it was
not supposed there was any danger At 9TH
er works the strikers have refused to allow
the office employees and such other men as
were willing to work. 10 save the coke from
destruction. This arbitrary action has done
much to injure Mullen Il Byrne in the opin-
ion of the community. There is something
significant in the fact that the Hungarians
are very obedent 10 their leaders. and these
leaders are under the guidance of the Eng
lish-speaking officials of the organization. 1t
looks as if the Hungarians were used TO pull
chestnuts out of the fire.